The DOI matches its Crossref record; 84 of the 84 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Physical Activity and Incident Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the prospective relationship between physical activity and incident depression and explored potential moderators. METHOD: Prospective cohort studies evaluating incident depression were searched from database inception through Oct. 18, 2017, on PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and SPORTDiscus. Demographic and clinical data, data on physical activity and depression assessments, and odds ratios, relative risks, and hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were extracted. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted, and the potential sources of heterogeneity were explored. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: =0.00). Furthermore, physical activity had a protective effect against the emergence of depression in youths (adjusted odds ratio=0.90, 95% CI=0.83, 0.98), in adults (adjusted odds ratio=0.78, 95% CI=0.70, 0.87), and in elderly persons (adjusted odds ratio=0.79, 95% CI=0.72, 0.86). Protective effects against depression were found across geographical regions, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.65 to 0.84 in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, and against increased incidence of positive screen for depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=0.84, 95% CI=0.79, 0.89) or major depression diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio=0.86, 95% CI=0.75, 0.98). No moderators were identified. Results were consistent for unadjusted odds ratios and for adjusted and unadjusted relative risks/hazard ratios. Overall study quality was moderate to high (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score, 6.3). Although significant publication bias was found, adjusting for this did not change the magnitude of the associations. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence supports the notion that physical activity can confer protection against the emergence of depression regardless of age and geographical region.
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“Furthermore, physical exercise for approximately 45 minutes per day can significantly reduce the risk of MDD. 320 , 321”
From Major depressive disorder: hypothesis, mechanism, prevention and treatment (2024) · cites this paper as [321]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Finally, self-reported physical activity or exercise interventions may have potential beneficial effects to lower the incidence of depression20 and lower the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and associated comorbidities21.”
From Association of step counts over time with the risk of chronic disease in the All of Us Research Program (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“There are recent large-scale observational [18] and Mendelian randomisation studies [124] suggesting that higher levels of PA can confer protection against mental disorders.”
From Exercise as Medicine for Mental and Substance Use Disorders: A Meta-review of the Benefits for Neuropsychiatric and Cognitive Outcomes (2020) · cites this paper as [18]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Adjusting for baseline depressive symptoms, body mass index, smoking status, age, gender and other confounds did not alter the findings.”
From A meta-review of "lifestyle psychiatry": the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders (2020) · cites this paper as [29]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“and in children/adolescents (n=3, OR=0.907, 95% CI: 0.836-0.985), adults (n=16, OR=0.787, 95% CI: 0.707-0.877) or older adults (n=16, OR=0.794, 95% CI: 0.726-0.868).”
From A meta-review of "lifestyle psychiatry": the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders (2020) · cites this paper as [29]
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In the citing paper
“Although there was indication of publication bias, adjusting for this did not alter overall findings (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.81-0.89).”
From A meta-review of "lifestyle psychiatry": the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders (2020) · cites this paper as [29]
In the citing paper
“Longitudinal studies show that this association is bidirectional, 241,242 but with a stronger time-lagged association of marital discord predicting depressive symptoms than viceversa. 243”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [242]
In the citing paper
“The risk of incident depression is estimated to be 21% lower in older adults who engage in PA, especially at moderate to vigorous intensities [442,443].”
From Global consensus on optimal exercise recommendations for enhancing healthy longevity in older adults (ICFSR) (2025) · cites this paper as [443]
In the citing paper
“The risk of incident depression is estimated to be 21% lower in older adults who engage in PA, especially at moderate to vigorous intensities [442,443].”
From Global consensus on optimal exercise recommendations for enhancing healthy longevity in older adults (ICFSR) (2025) · cites this paper as [443]
In the citing paper
“a recent meta-analysis of 49 prospective studies across nearly 267,000 individuals demonstrated that higher levels of PA associated with reduced odds of developing depression [odds ratio (OR) = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79–0.88] across age groups (2).”
From The Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders: An Integrative Review (2021) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“Meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies showed that physical activity had a protective effect against the future onset of depression [17], while sedentary time increased the risk of depression [18].”
From Digital Biomarkers for Depression Screening With Wearable Devices: Cross-sectional Study With Machine Learning Modeling (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
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Yousef, I., Kilani, H. A., Bataineh, M. F., Al-Nawayseh, A., Al-Za’abi, A., Belghali, M., Alnuaimi, J., Shaheen, W. M., & Liftawi, S. M. (2022) · International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning · doi:10.18280/ijsdp.170308 · Cited by 6
“Furthermore, a growing body of research suggests that physical activity, regardless of age or geographic location, can operate as a protective factor against depression [18].”
BackgroundKleppang, A. L., & Skille, E. A. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191710769 · Cited by 9
“protection against depression [12]; in this respect, there are two significant and more specific arguments supporting this general statement.”
BackgroundResultPeltzer, K., & Pengpid, S. (2022) · Journal of Men s Health · doi:10.31083/j.jomh1809194 · Cited by 5
“Regarding lifestyle factors, in systematic reviews of prospective studies, Schuch et al. [11] conclude that physical activity can protect against depression, and Dishman et al. [12] found that physical activity is inversely associated with incident depression.”
BackgroundBizzozero‐Peroni, B., Godoy-Cumillaf, A. E. R., Fernández‐Rodríguez, R., Rodríguez‐Gutiérrez, E., Jiménez‐López, E., Giakoni-Ramírez, F., Bastías, D. M. D., & Mesas, A. E. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192114437 · Cited by 5
Li, X., & Yu, J. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1052727 · Cited by 6
“More exercise can be effective in protecting one’s mental health, such as preventing the emergence and development of anxiety and depression (30, 31), but the current situation of young people today is deviating from this.”
BackgroundAutonomous Motivation for Exercise Is Key to an Active Lifestyle in Firefighters
Vancampfort, D., Soir, E. D., Ramos-Sánchez, C. P., van Winkel, R., Louw, Q. A., McKeon, G., Rosenbaum, S., & Seedat, S. (2023) · Workplace Health & Safety · doi:10.1177/21650799221147174 · Cited by 5
Self-citationMinaeva, O., Schat, E., Ceulemans, E., Kunkels, Y., Smit, A., Wichers, M., Booij, S., & Riese, H. (2024) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50960-1 · Cited by 9
Merzbach, V., Jewiss, M., Scruton, A., & Gordon, D. A. (2024) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph21050610 · Cited by 6
“A recent prospective study of ~267,000 adults showed that higher levels of physical activity were associated with reduced odds of developing a mental health condition [19].”
BackgroundAntidepressive Effekte von Sportinterventionen
Heinzel, S. (2020) · Psychotherapeut · doi:10.1007/s00278-020-00418-w · Cited by 5
“Wie aktuelle Metaanalysen nahelegen, lässt sich für gezielte körperliche Aktivität und Sportinterventionen ein antidepressiver Effekt nachweisen (Cooney et al. 2013; Heinzel et al. 2015; Schuch et al. 2018).”
BackgroundYi, S. J., Jeong, Y. M., & Kim, J. (2021) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare9030361 · Cited by 5
“In addition, people with low levels of physical activity, compared with those with high levels, had a lower OR of depression [45].”
BackgroundDeenik, J. (2019) · doi:10.26481/dis.20190522jd · Cited by 5
OLAHRAGA DAN PENDIDIKAN JASMANI DALAM MEMACU LONCATAN SDM UNGGUL BERKOMPETENSI SELAMA PANDEMIPreprint
Wijayanto, A. (2021) · doi:10.31219/osf.io/mvznr · Cited by 5
Wang, S., Lu, B., & Zhang, X. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1575612 · Cited by 4
“Previous studies have suggested that PA may influence mental health by enhancing MDS levels (Schuch et al., 2018); however, the specific mechanisms linking PA to SWB remain insufficiently explored.”
Das, P., Hasan, M. E., Arif, M., ALmerab, M. M., Habib, A. A., Al‐Mamun, F., & Mamun, M. A. (2025) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-025-07542-4 · Cited by 4
“This is consistent with evidence from a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies, which also identified an inverse relationship between physical activity and depression [74].”
Schuch, F. B., Waclawoscky, A., Tornquist, D., Oyeyemi, A. L., Sadarangani, K. P., Takano, K., Teychenne, M. J., Balanzá‐Martínez, V., O'Neil, A., Romain, A. J., et al. (2026) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085006 · Cited by 10
“40 41 Some literature suggests that certain lifestyle behaviours universally protect against mental health issues, 15 42 while the association of others may be context specific.”
Self-citationOyedemi, J., Dunne, S. K., Brennan, L. K., & Coffey, L. (2026) · PLOS Digital Health · doi:10.1371/journal.pdig.0001258 · Cited by 4
“…nature of these interventions, especially the exercise component, may have confer additive psychological benefits through neurobiological mechanisms such as improved sleep and reduced inflammation [54,55], and psychosocial factors such as enhanced self-efficacy and therapeutic alliance [56,57].”
Hu, J., Xie, J., Liu, B., Peng, W. X., Liu, B., Yan, Y., Zhang, L., Wang, X., Xi, Y., Ma, Y., et al. (2026) · The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific · doi:10.1016/j.lanwpc.2026.101833 · Cited by 4
“24,25 All studies were included in primary analysis.”
Ramírez‐Vélez, R., Calderón-González, J. C., Pulido, L. H. P., Mejía-Vásquez, A. F., Arias-Álzate, C., Urriago-Fontal, J. C., Gutiérrez-Quintero, G. A., Ortiz-López, J. D., Bedoya-Salazar, D. M., Romero-Martínez, G., et al. (2026) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1799311 · Cited by 4
Tavares, V. D. D. O., Coelho, N. L. G., Firth, J., Rosenbaum, S., Stubbs, B., Smith, L., Vancampfort, D., & Schuch, F. B. (2020) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.2020-0312 · Cited by 4
Self-citationWang, L., Liu, T., Guo, J., Zhao, T., Tang, H., Dong, F., Wang, C., Chen, J., & Tang, M. (2023) · Frontiers in Pharmacology · doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1314151 · Cited by 5
Migchelbrink, M. M., Kremers, S. H. M., den Braver, N. R., Groeneveld, L., Elders, P. J. M., Blom, M. T., Beulens, J. W. J., & Rutters, F. (2024) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108065 · Cited by 4
Shen, Z., Zhu, J.-H., Liu, B.-P., & Jia, C.-X. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.195 · Cited by 4
Li, C., Qu, S., & Ren, K. (2024) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s477659 · Cited by 4
“24,25 This finding can be explained based on the distraction hypothesis: physical activity may relieve depressive emotions by distracting individuals from depressive thoughts.”
BackgroundPäivärinne, V., Lahti, J., Salmela, J., Kouvonen, A. M., Lallukka, T. M., & Rahkonen, O. (2025) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.2024-0224 · Cited by 5
Yu, L., Li, J., Zou, L., Chen, Y., Werneck, A. O., Herold, F., Taylor, A., & Tari, B. (2025) · International Journal of Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.061237 · Cited by 4
“For example, a meta-analysis conducted by Schuch and colleagues including 49 prospective studies (N = 266,939) indicated that higher levels of PA can protect against the development of depression in youths (adjusted OR = 0.90) [18].”
InfluentialHigham, S. M., Mendham, A. E., Rosenbaum, S., Allen, N. G., Smith, G., & Duffield, R. (2025) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2025.2461322 · Cited by 4
“Academia is an occupation combining high-stress with low physical activity (Cooper & Barton, 2016; Fontinha et al., 2019), which may increase the risk of common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety (Schuch et al., 2018, 2019).”
Self-citationWang, Y., Sun, J., Zhang, Y., Wang, J., & Lu, S. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1505061 · Cited by 4
Associations of physical activity volume and intensity with depression symptoms among US adults
You, J., Long, J., Wang, Z., & Yang, Y. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1592961 · Cited by 4
“Previous studies have found that an increase in PA volume, as measured by the global physical activity questionnaire, is associated with a reduction in depression (27, 29).”
A bibliometric review of urban sprawl and urban green spaces research, 1996–2024
N-yanbini, N. N., Liang, C., & HUANG, V. Y. (2025) · Urban forestry & urban greening · doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129115 · Cited by 4
Do, A. D., Pham, T. T. P., Nguyen, C. Q., Hoang, D. V., Fukunaga, A., Stickley, A., Yazawa, A., Phan, D. C., Hachiya, M., Jimba, M., et al. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064998 · Cited by 5
Ohta, T., Ogawa, M., Kikuchi, N., Sasai, H., & Okamoto, T. (2023) · International Journal of Public Health · doi:10.3389/ijph.2023.1604647 · Cited by 4
Exercise, Depression, and Anxiety in Young People: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Huo, M., & Yang, Z. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.32604/ijmhp.2023.023406 · Cited by 5
Mental Health Conditions and Exercise
Marconcin, P., Gouveia, É. R., Nascimento, M. D. M., Ferrari, G., & Marques, A. (2023) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.111505 · Cited by 8
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“As described in the literature, higher levels of physical activity are positively associated with a decreased chances of developing depression and future anxiety [53, 54].”
He, Z., Zhang, R., Chen, C., Rong-feng, P., & Zhang, C. (2023) · Asian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.ajsep.2023.09.002 · Cited by 4
Bao, M., Chao, J., Zhang, N., Wu, Y., & Wang, L. (2023) · Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1111/psyg.13023 · Cited by 4
“25 26 – 30 This study has several strengths.”
BackgroundSaito, Y., Nakamura, S., Watanabe, K., Ikegami, H., Shinmura, N., Sato, S., Miyagi, Y., & Narimatsu, H. (2023) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1233942 · Cited by 4
The relationship between physical activity and mental health: Is more always better?
Popov, S., Volarov, M., & Rakočević, N. (2023) · Primenjena psihologija · doi:10.19090/pp.v16i3.2461 · Cited by 6
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Self-Esteem, Resilience, And Mental Well-Being Among Students
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Metadata
- Authors
- Schuch, F. B., Vancampfort, D., Firth, J., Rosenbaum, S., Ward, P. B., Silva, E. S., Hallgren, M., Ponce De Leon, A., Dunn, A. L., Deslandes, A. C., Fleck, M. P., Carvalho, A. F., & Stubbs, B.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)
- From La Salle University, Canoas, Brazil; the School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Dance and the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; KU Leuven–University of Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, and University Psychiatric Center, Leuven-Kortenberg, Belgium; the NICM Health Research Institute, School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia; the School of Psychiatry, University of New South...
- ORCID
- Venue
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- Published
- 2018-07-01
- Volume
- 175
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 631-648
- ISSN
- 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
- 1535-7228
- OpenAlex
- W2803008851
- Semantic Scholar
- 4574bb06e26a873ebb0a8607fd5719c390dbe21e
- Cited by
- 1,763
- References
- 84
- Citations by year
- 2026: 270 · 2025: 282 · 2024: 218 · 2023: 254 · 2022: 240 · 2021: 204 · 2020: 158 · 2019: 104 · 2018: 30
- FWCI
- 16.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- lirias.kuleuven.be
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Lirias (KU Leuven) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (ICA-CL-2017-03-001, APP1123336, NIHR-INF-0685)
- Department of Health and Social Care
- King's College London
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- physical activity, depression, incident depression, protective effect, youth, adults, older adults, depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, age differences, geographic region
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Prospective Studies, Risk, Exercise, Incidence, Odds Ratio
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